An apparatus for holding an object has a holding piece for holding the object. A locating device is coupled to the holding piece.
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1. An apparatus for holding an object comprising:
a holding piece for holding the object; and
a locating device coupled to the holding piece, wherein the locating device comprises:
a processor to calculate a location of the locating device; and
an antenna coupled to the processor to send and receive signals.
9. An apparatus for holding an object comprising:
a holding piece for holding the object;
a housing having a void space, the housing attached to the holding piece; and
a locating device positioned in the void space, the locating device activated when receiving a predetermined signal and transmitting location signals, wherein the locating device comprises:
a processor to calculate a location of the locating device; and
an antenna coupled to the processor receive predetermined signals and transmit location signals.
16. An apparatus for holding an object comprising:
a holding piece for holding the object;
a housing having a void space, the housing attached to the holding piece;
identifying indicia formed on a front face of the housing; and
a locating device positioned in the void space, the locating device activated when receiving a predetermined signal and transmitting location signals;
wherein the locating device comprises:
a processor to calculate a location of the locating device; and
an antenna coupled to the processor receive predetermined signals and transmit location signals.
2. An apparatus for holding an object in accordance with
3. An apparatus for holding an object in accordance with
4. An apparatus for holding an object in accordance with
5. An apparatus for holding an object in accordance with
a speaker/receiver coupled to the processor to send and receive audible signals; and
a light coupled to the processor to provide a visual signal.
6. An apparatus for holding an object in accordance with
7. An apparatus for holding an object in accordance with
8. An apparatus for holding an object in accordance with
10. An apparatus for holding an object in accordance with
11. An apparatus for holding an object in accordance with
12. An apparatus for holding an object in accordance with
a speaker/receiver coupled to the processor to send and receive audible signals; and
a light coupled to the processor to provide a visual signal.
13. An apparatus for holding an object in accordance with
14. An apparatus for holding an object in accordance with
15. An apparatus for holding an object in accordance with
17. An apparatus for holding an object in accordance with
18. An apparatus for holding an object in accordance with
a speaker/receiver coupled to the processor to send and receive audible signals; and
a light coupled to the processor to provide a visual signal;
wherein the speaker/receiver will receive a predetermined first audible signal and the processor will send a second audible signal in response, the second audible signal used to locate the apparatus.
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The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application having Ser. No. 11/398,140, filed Apr. 4, 2006 now abandoned and entitled “MOBILE-PHONE MUNTED APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CARRYING PERSONAL OBJECTS” and filed in the name of the same inventor.
This invention relates to a device for carrying personal objects, and more particularly, to device for carrying personal objects and or items that has a locating device to aid in tracking the device when misplaced, lost or stolen.
A money clip is a device typically used to store cash and or credit cards in a very compact fashion for those who do not wish to carry a wallet. Money clips may be formed of a solid piece of material which is folded, such that the bills and credit cards are securely wedged in between the fold. Money clips are typically formed of a metal such as stainless steel, silver, gold, titanium, or platinum. One problem with current money clips is that they have a tendency to get lost. Due to the compact nature of money clips, the money clips have a tendency to fall out of the pockets of the user. Because of this, money clips are easily misplaced. Lost or stolen.
Mobile or “cell” telephones have in recent years achieved extremely wide levels of use in the U.S. and indeed in countries throughout the world. It is typical for persons to carry mobile phones with them throughout their work or school days. Mobile phones may be carried in a pocket, in a purse, or clipped to a belt. There are other objects that a person may typically need to carry when out of the house. These may include but are not limited to keys, credit cards, a driver's license, and folding money.
Therefore, a need existed to provide a system and method to overcome the above problems.
An apparatus for holding an object has a holding piece for holding the object. A locating device is coupled to the holding piece.
The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements.
Referring first to
As best shown in
Inserted in a cavity 16A of the tongue 16 is a tracking device 16B. The tracking device 16B may be used to locate the apparatus 10 when the apparatus 10 is lost, stolen, and or misplaced. The tracking device 16B may be a Global Positional Satellite (GPS) device, a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID), or the like.
Referring now to
Inserted in a cavity of the tongue 16 is a tracking device 16B. The tracking device 16B may be used to locate the apparatus 10 when the apparatus 10 is lost, stolen, and or misplaced. The tracking device 16B may be a Global Positional Satellite (GPS) device, a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID), or the like.
Referring now to
Attention is now directed to the upper portion of the apparatus 100. In one embodiment, a key case 130 is provided. The key case 130 generally comprises a housing 132, which is sized to accommodate a plurality of keys 134. The key case 130 may further comprise a post 136 located within the housing 132, and onto which keys 134 may be positioned (see especially
Inserted in a cavity of the tongue 116 is a tracking device 116B. The tracking device 116B may be used to locate the apparatus 100 when the apparatus 100 is lost, stolen, and or misplaced. The tracking device 116B may be a Global Positional Satellite (GPS) device, a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID), or the like.
Referring now to
It may be desired to affix the key case 130 to the apparatus 100 in a more or less permanent fashion. Alternatively, it may be desired to make the key case 130 separable from the remainder of the apparatus 100. Referring specifically to
It should be noted that the use of a mating raised area 142 and groove 140 represents only one means for removably coupling the key case 130 to the apparatus 100. Other means, such as hook and loop material, could also be utilized, as desired.
In this embodiment, the tracking device 116B may be inserted in a cavity of the tongue 116. However, it may also be inserted in a cavity of the cover 138 of key case 130 or in other areas of the key case 130. This would allow one to track and locate the key case 130 and or the key case and the apparatus 100 if misplaced, lost and or stolen. The tracking device 116B may be a Global Positional Satellite (GPS) device, a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID), or the like.
Referring now to
On a first side, the casing 202 may have a substantially transparent surface 204, such as one comprised of a clear plastic, to permit a user to see a screen 206 and keyboard 207 of the mobile phone 14. On at least one side of the casing 202, a key pocket 208 may be provided, which is configured to accommodate at least the shaft portion of a key 234. In one embodiment, the head portion of the key 234 protrudes from the key pocket 208, to facilitate removal and reinsertion of the key 234. It may be desired to provide a key pocket 208 on each side of the casing 202.
Referring now to an upper portion of the casing 202, it may be desired to provide a housing 210 thereon. The housing 210 may be desired to carry certain personal objects, including for example one or more keys 234 (not shown), coins, earrings, or other similarly-sized objects. In one embodiment, as for example shown in
In this embodiment, the tracking device 216B may be inserted in a cavity of the apparatus 200 or in other areas of the apparatus 200. This would allow one to track and locate the apparatus 200 if misplaced, lost and or stolen. The tracking device 116B may be a Global Positional Satellite (GPS) device, a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID), or the like.
Referring more specifically to
Still referring to
Referring now to
In this embodiment, the tracking device 116B may be inserted in a cavity 116C of the tongue 318. This would allow one to track and locate the apparatus 300 if misplaced, lost and or stolen. The tracking device 116B may be a Global Positional Satellite (GPS) device, a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID), or the like.
Referring now to
A housing 404 may be coupled to the holding member 402. In the present embodiment, the housing 404 is a circular disk. However, the housing 404 may be other shapes and or sizes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The housing 404 has a first surface 404A which may be coupled to the holding member 402. The housing 404 may be used for different purposes. For example, the connector 404 may be used as an identifying device. In the present embodiment, a second surface 404B of the housing 404 may have identifying indicia 405 such has the initials of the owner, a unique symbol, or the like that the owner may use to identify the apparatus 400. The housing 404 may further be used to couple the apparatus 400 to one of the apparatus of the previous embodiments. Thus, the housing 404 may be coupled to the apparatus 10, 100, 200 and 300 or to any other type of mobile phone holder.
The housing 404 may be coupled to the apparatus 10, 100, 200 and 300 or to any other type of mobile phone holder (hereinafter mobile phone holder) in many different manners. For example, the housing 404 may be coupled to a connector 406 on the mobile phone holder. Alternatively, the housing 404 may be metallic and thus coupled to a connector 406 which is magnetized on the mobile phone holder). Other coupling devices may be used to attach the housing 404 to a mobile phone holder without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Located in a cavity 407 of the housing 404 may be a locating device 408. The locating device 408 may allow one to track and locate the apparatus 400 if misplaced, lost and or stolen. The tracking device 408 may be a Global Positional Satellite (GPS) device, a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID), or the like.
The locating device 408 may work in several different manners. For example, the user may have a program loaded on a mobile phone that may be used to locate the locating device 408. The program may be used to activate the locating device 408 and then track the locating device 408 once activated. Alternatively, the locating device 408 may be activated and tracked by a third party monitoring company. In another embodiment, the locating device 408 may respond to the owner's voice or other sound. Upon hearing a predetermined sound, the locating device 408 may send an audible or visual signal to help the owner locate the locating device 408. For example, the owner may clap his/her hands or say and or yell a code word. Upon hearing the hand clap or code word, the locating device may activate a flashing light or send an audible signal. The above are given as examples and should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention.
Referring to
This disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited by these exemplary embodiments. Numerous variations, whether explicitly provided for by the specification or implied by the specification, such as variations in structure, dimension, type of material and manufacturing process may be implemented by one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure.
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